Biradari - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Biradari" by Kumarpal Desai, based on the provided pages:

The book "Biradari" by Kumarpal Desai, published by Gurjar Sahitya Prakashan, is a collection of stories that highlight the ideals of communal harmony, inter-religious fraternity, and secularism, which are presented as eternal messages of Indian culture.

The author begins by acknowledging that India has always been a land where people of diverse religions and languages live together. However, he points out that sometimes attempts are made to sow discord and incite religious fanaticism for selfish motives, leading to conflicts between communities and even violence driven by religious fervor.

The core message of the book is that religion is a path to realizing God, and therefore, no religion is inherently superior or inferior, nor is any profession. The stories within "Biradari" recount the lives of individuals who embraced martyrdom with a smile for the sake of unity, brotherhood, religion, or truth. They are tales of people who sacrificed themselves for the sake of another community, resonating with the great ideal of "Biradari" (brotherhood).

The book has received recognition, including an award from the Government of India in a nationwide literature competition for neo-literates, and a significant number of copies were purchased by the government.

The summary then delves into the specific stories included in the provided pages:

Cheti Chand: This story narrates the events in Sindh in 712 CE when Arab invaders captured the land. The people, divided by internal strife, were easily defeated. The Arabs destroyed temples and idols. King Mirkh enforced a decree that the religion of the king would be the religion of the subjects. When wise individuals tried to reason with the king, stating that religion is a matter of the heart and not force, he dismissed their plea. The king then began persecuting Hindus, forcing them to convert to Islam, believing it to be a meritorious act leading to heaven. The narrative then shifts to Udayachandra, born in 1007 VS. He took on the challenge of confronting the oppression. He rallied neighboring kings, advocating for a fight against the sword with the sword. Udayachandra's courage impressed the king's vizier, who reported back, causing the king distress. Udayachandra inspired the dispirited chieftains, emphasizing unity and readiness to fight, proclaiming, "From few, many are made. Drop by drop, a lake is filled." He organized his forces at Kalar Kot, stressing the power of "one" (unity). King Mirkh, troubled, invited Udayachandra to the capital, Thatta, to eliminate him. Udayachandra accepted the challenge, stating that if the king was proud of his sword, their swords were ready to face him, and the days of tyranny were over. He offered a choice between treaty or war. The king, underestimating Udayachandra's forces, agreed to a treaty, demanding that Hindus be treated justly and that people live in brotherhood, recognizing God and Allah as one and Hindus and Muslims as children of the same divine parent. Udayachandra then entered the river, where he miraculously disappeared. He was revered by Hindus as "Udherolal" and by Muslims as "Jind Pir", and known to all as "Lalsain." The day of his disappearance, Chaitra Sud Ekam, is celebrated as "Cheti Chand," a major festival for the Sindhi community, commemorating Udayachandra's legacy of unity between Hindus and Muslims.
A story about a Sufi saint (implied to be a significant figure like Kabir or similar): This section highlights the saint's travels across India and to Mecca and Medina. For him, temples and mosques were merely places to worship the divine. The story recounts an incident where the saint slept with his feet towards the Kaaba in a mosque, offending some people. When confronted, the saint calmly responded by asking them to place his feet where the Kaaba was not. He explained that God is omnipresent, and there is no corner without Him, emphasizing the oneness of Allah and Ishwar, and the unity of Hindus and Muslims.
Guru Nanak: This section focuses on the teachings of Guru Nanak, emphasizing love, unity, and devotion to God. He states that those who worship Hari are Hari's. The story highlights an incident where Guru Nanak was invited to pray namaz with a Qazi and Nawab. While the others bowed, Nanak remained standing. When questioned, Nanak revealed that he was worshipping God internally, while the Qazi was distracted by thoughts of his recently foaled mare. The Nawab and Qazi were humbled and became his devotees. The story also mentions Guru Nanak's imprisonment by Sikandar Lodi, where the grinding stone allegedly moved on its own. Guru Nanak's life was dedicated to preaching kindness and unity.
Adal Insaf (Just Judgment): This story features King Jayasinh Siddharaj of Gujarat. He was known for his just rule, where lost items were compensated by the village. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity. While on a hunt, the king encountered a Khateeb (Muslim preacher) from Khambhat who presented a poem detailing the injustice faced by Muslims in Khambhat, where 80 Muslims were massacred. Siddharaj, determined to ascertain the truth, secretly traveled to Khambhat. Upon his return to court, he announced that the conflict was not between Hindus and Muslims but between Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Muslims, with Hindus supporting the Parsis. He meted out punishment to the leaders of the Parsi and Brahmin communities and ordered the rebuilding of the mosque and minaret at state expense. He declared that in the eyes of the ruler, Hindus and Muslims were equally subjects, just as they were equal in the eyes of God.
The King of Ranthambore: This story recounts the plight of a Mongol Sardar, Mir Muhammad, who was a fugitive from Sultan Alauddin Khilji. He sought refuge with Raja Hammirdev of Ranthambore. A royal decree arrived demanding the surrender of Mir Muhammad. Despite the risk, Hammirdev refused, stating that a Kshatriya must uphold Dharma and protect those who seek refuge. He declared that he would never hand over a refugee, even in a dream. The minister suggested other ways to appease the Sultan, but Hammirdev remained firm. Ultimately, Hammirdev and his warriors sacrificed their lives in battle to uphold their promise, and the fortress faced destruction and the immolation of women. Mir Muhammad, mortally wounded, told the Sultan that if he were saved, he would place Hammirdev's son on the throne, revealing his defiance even in his dying moments.
Janfehsani (Sacrifice): This story depicts an incident involving a Subedar (governor) and a labor leader named Sheikh Abubakar. The Subedar was traveling in a palanquin while the laborers were protesting against unemployment and starvation caused by the Subedar's policies. Sheikh Abubakar confronted the Subedar, demanding attention to the people's plight. The Subedar dismissed the issue, accusing the merchants of greed and the workers of laziness. He tried to bribe Abubakar with a job, but Abubakar refused, stating his loyalty to the workers. When the Subedar invited the Muslims for an Eid feast, Abubakar's Hindu colleagues refused to eat while their fellow workers remained hungry. The Subedar, identifying himself with the Emperor Aurangzeb, threatened Abubakar. Later, the Subedar poisoned Sheikh Abubakar, who died, having made the ultimate sacrifice for his community. The narrative concludes by stating that a Muslim leader sacrificed his life for Hindu workers in 1982, creating history.
Ram-Kishan's Pair: This story describes a riot where Muslims accused Hindus of defiling their mosque and Hindus accused Muslims of defiling their temple. Both communities, driven by fanaticism, engaged in violence. A Muslim mob decided to loot and destroy an Arya Samaj temple. However, a devout Muslim named Ashfaq stood guard at the temple with a revolver, declaring that he considered every brick of the temple precious and that all places of worship were worthy of respect. He warned the mob to go elsewhere if they wished to riot. Faced with Ashfaq's determination, the mob retreated. Ashfaq remained until the riots subsided.
Marjeevo (Those who risk their lives): This story centers on Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, editor of the daily newspaper "Pratap." His writings inspired patriotism and brotherhood. However, he was distressed to see the same people he had inspired turning against each other in Kanpur. He remembered the story of Rana Pratap and Shakti Singh's dispute. Vidyarthi, along with his colleagues, bravely intervened in the communal clashes, risking their lives. He advocated for peace and reconciliation, even facing accusations of being pro-Hindu. A Hindu volunteer sacrificed his life to protect Vidyarthi from an angry mob. Vidyarthi himself was ultimately killed on March 24, 1931, in the communal violence, his martyrdom seen by Mahatma Gandhi as an act that would serve as cement to unite both communities.
A story about Vasantrao and Rajabali: This story highlights the communal harmony fostered by Vasantrao (a Hindu) and Rajabali (a Muslim), who worked together to quell riots. When a mob threatened to kill a driver from another community, Vasantrao and Rajabali intervened, risking their lives. They successfully calmed the situation. Later, they rushed to Jamalpur, where widespread violence was occurring. They worked tirelessly to establish peace and safety, often being the first to arrive and the last to leave. They were seen as embodiments of unity and courage.

In essence, "Biradari" is a powerful collection of narratives that underscore the vital importance of interfaith understanding, mutual respect, and the ultimate sacrifice made by individuals who championed unity and brotherhood in the face of religious intolerance and violence. The book serves as a testament to the enduring values of compassion and human solidarity.